This article has been reviewed by Lester Morse, Director of Rehabs UK, who has over 30 years’ experience helping individuals overcome various forms of addiction. Rehabs UK is a leading authority in addiction treatment and recovery and offers a range of connected services and support including detox and rehabilitation programmes as well as therapy.

Alcohol addiction is a pervasive issue that affects millions of people worldwide, and the UK is no exception. According to the UK government’s Office for National Statistics in 2023, 10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes were registered in the UK, the highest number on record, but the rate of alcohol-specific deaths (15.9 per 100,000 people) decreased slightly compared with 2022, (16.6 deaths per 100,000 people), highlighting the growing severity of alcohol-related problems. One of the most challenging aspects of alcohol addiction is the cycle that keeps individuals trapped, making relapse a common occurrence. A study on The Habits and Routines of Adults in Early Recovery suggests that approximately 60% of people in recovery will relapse within their first year, underlining the need for better understanding and support.

This article explores the seven-stage cycle of alcohol addiction, offering insights into the contributing factors, warning signs, and potential routes to recovery. Understanding these stages can help individuals and their loved ones identify when intervention is needed and how to break free from the cycle.

Table of Contents

1. What are the stages of alcohol addiction?
2. Stage 1: Use
3. Stage 2: Abuse
4. Stage 3: Tolerance
5. Stage 4: Dependence
6. Stage 5: Addiction
7. Stage 6: Recovery
8. Stage 7: Relapse
9. How to recognise and break the cycle
10. Get the support you need

What are the stages of alcohol addiction?

There are 7 key stages of addiction which are outlined below. It’s important to remember that each individual will have their own experience of alcohol addiction and not everyone is the same. If you are worried about your alcohol habits, please contact your GP or our Treatment Advisors.

Rehabs UK Director Lester Morse states:

“Addiction is a terrible, traumatic and tormenting mental condition for everyone involved. The sufferers go through many stages, usually getting worse as they descend into the final stages before insanity or death! It’s horrific, often described as incomprehensible demoralisation or the four horsemen - Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, Despair. I think families, especially children living with an alcoholic/addict become quite traumatised and damaged through the whole experience on many different levels.”

Scott Ardley, Senior Treatment Advisor also comments:

“Addiction often follows a cycle, regular use, dependence, and eventually negative consequences that can cause continuous and daily use. Recognising the signs early—such as increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, secrecy, lying and life disruptions—can be key indicators in getting help.”

Stage 1: Use

The cycle of alcohol addiction often begins with casual or social use. At this stage, an individual consumes alcohol occasionally, often in social settings or as a form of relaxation.

Lester comments:

“Most people start to drink and use drugs not because they have some deep-rooted emotional or psychological problem. They start because that's what most people do in society, but some people get triggered.

“I like to think of addiction more like an allergy that not everyone has, you can be born with a nut allergy but you would never know unless you ate a nut. I think addiction is just like that.”

Statistics:

• A 2023 NHS report indicated that 44% of pupils aged 11 to 15 in England had ever drunk alcohol, showing a decline from 59% in 2009.
• In 2023, 6% of pupils aged 11 to 15 reported usually drinking alcohol at least once per week, a decrease from 18% in 2009.

Signs to watch for:

• Drinking regularly in social settings
• Associating alcohol with stress relief
• Experimenting with different types of alcoholic beverages
• Pressure points:
• Social expectations and peer pressure
• Stress from work or personal life
• Increased tolerance leading to more frequent consumption

Stage 2: Abuse

At this stage, alcohol use escalates into abuse. Individuals may begin drinking in a way that negatively impacts their health, relationships, or responsibilities.

Lester comments:

“The definition of abuse is to misuse something, so based on that definition and the government guidelines being the metric standard we should adhere to - quite a lot of people abuse drugs and alcohol, but that in my opinion doesn’t make them an alcoholic or addict. Abuse alone is not necessarily a sign of addiction.

Most heavy drinkers are abusing alcohol, but where addiction is concerned abuse happens when given a sufficient reason to stop or moderate you can’t. It’s important to understand the difference between heavy drinkers/drug takers and alcoholics and addicts, they can look the same up to the ability to stop or moderate.”

Statistics:

• According to Alcohol Change UK, around 602,391 people in England are dependent on alcohol, yet only 18% receive treatment.

Signs to watch for:

• Drinking to cope with emotions
• Binge drinking episodes
• Neglecting responsibilities

Stage 3: Tolerance

As alcohol consumption increases, the body becomes accustomed to it, requiring larger amounts to achieve the same effects.

Lester comments:

“Tolerance can vary from person to person, the problem is with some drugs, including alcohol, your tolerance levels can increase to amounts that would kill somebody taking it for the first time. This can be particularly dangerous and can cause overdose death for somebody who’s detoxed and then started using again at the same level.

“For most people as their body tolerance gets used to the chemical and the demand for larger amounts grows, it doesn’t often offer the same pleasurable effects, this is called chasing the high and can entrap people into addiction.”

Signs to watch for:

• Needing more alcohol to feel drunk
• Drinking more frequently
• Increased risk-taking behaviour

Stage 4: Dependence

At this stage, the body begins to rely on alcohol to function normally. Withdrawal symptoms may appear when not drinking.

Lester comments:

“Once a person has crossed the line into full dependency, and the obsession has formed it is hard for them to imagine a life with or without their drug of choice. They no longer have the ability to stop or moderate. Their drug of choice has become the most important thing in their life.”

Signs to watch for:

• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (shaking, sweating, nausea)
• Drinking to avoid withdrawal
• Prioritising alcohol over personal and professional responsibilities

Statistics:

• Approximately 608,000 adults in England are estimated to be alcohol dependent.
• Around 6% of adults in the UK are categorised as drinking at a high-risk or possible dependent level.

Stage 5: Addiction

Alcohol dependence evolves into full-blown addiction, where the individual feels unable to stop drinking despite negative consequences.

Lester comments:

“Once the obsession has formed and the physical allergy has taken hold, there is seemingly no way out. You have a new master and are condemned to an addictive cycle of drinking/using , guilt, shame, remorse, redemption, appear normal, triggered, drinking/using-REPEAT!

“Addiction has a pattern and it goes in the order I just laid out; it has a different shape for all people but the same pattern. And of course, a lot of people's lives are being destroyed as we go around this seemingly never-ending cycle.”

Signs to watch for:

• Loss of control over drinking habits
• Drinking in dangerous situations (e.g., before driving)
• Persistent cravings for alcohol

Stage 6: Recovery

Recovery begins when an individual acknowledges their addiction and seeks help. This stage often includes detox, therapy, and ongoing support.

Lester comments:

“Recovery has come to mean different things to people. To me, it’s about abstinence or trying to achieve abstinence. I think recovery truly begins when you fully concede to your innermost self that you are an alcoholic/addict - this I have come to believe is the first step in recovery, or as we like to call it the rock bottom.

“I think this personal admission of powerlessness is crucial because without it, the person will not be willing to take the rest of the steps that lead to being empowered and made powerful, and there will be little hope of them remaining abstinent.”

Statistics:

• According to Public Health England, over 82,000 people accessed alcohol treatment services in 2021.

Stage 7: Relapse

Relapse is a common part of the recovery journey, often triggered by stress, social situations, or emotional struggles.

“Relapse is part of most people's early recovery attempts. It is clear that when someone has developed an alcoholic/addict mindset, it can be very difficult to accept that they cannot drink and use again, and of course, there is a large part of society that thinks with help you should be able to manage your addiction without stopping! But for those with the obsession who think they can get away with it one more time, a relapse can be beneficial by convincing them that they can’t.”

Statistics:

• More than 60% of people treated for a substance use disorder experience relapse within the first year after they are discharged from treatment.

Signs to watch for:

• Returning to old drinking patterns
• Withdrawal from support networks
• Feelings of guilt or shame

How to recognise and break the cycle

There are several ways to recognise and break the cycle of addiction. It is important to recognise that although there are a lot of common similarities between people who are dealing with addiction, each individual is different. The best way if you are worried about yourself or a loved one's habits is to speak to your GP, who can point you in the right direction, or contact one of our team.

Lester Morse states:

“You recognise addiction not by what you’re doing or using but by your inability to stop or moderate when given a sufficient reason.

“I believe real addicts are powerless to resist whatever they are addicted to. The only way to resolve this issue is Power. I believe the best treatments for addiction are holistic: spirit-soul and body practices, lifestyle changes, therapy and meditation.”

Outlined below are ways in which can help an individual to break the cycle of addiction:

Seeking Professional Help

• Contacting addiction specialists and rehab centres
• Exploring therapy options such as CBT and group therapy
• Medication-assisted treatment

Building a Support Network

• Engaging with support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous
• Relying on family and friends for accountability
• Establishing a structured daily routine
• Recovery cafes

Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms

• Finding alternative stress-relief activities (exercise, meditation)
• Setting realistic and achievable goals for sobriety
• Practicing mindfulness and self-reflection

With the new generation of young people, there seems to be a decrease in alcohol consumption. There are now more available alcohol-free options for those who wish to withdraw from alcohol on a night out or at the pub. For example:

• The proportion of young people aged 16 to 24 in Great Britain who drink alcohol has declined over recent years, with increasing numbers choosing to abstain completely.
• From 2024 to 2029, the non-alcoholic beer segment is forecast to grow by 64.9 million U.S. dollars in the UK, representing a 16% increase.

With these trends is it possible that alcohol addiction may be less prevalent in the UK?

Get the support you need

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, professional help is available. Rehabs UK offers expert guidance, personalised treatment plans, and ongoing support to help individuals break free from the cycle of addiction. Contact our Treatment Advisors today to take the first step towards recovery.